Muses over difference and denial, spotting villains, and gritty inner-city and suburban teenage realities as reflected in several current books, as well as in some by Kurt Vonnegut. (SR)

Discusses several books that make the point that readers do and should read stories that are judged to be truly different from stories that are made up. Argues that the responsibility of reading teachers is to help young readers become thoughtfully engaged in their suspension of disbelief. (RS)

Discusses John McCrone's book "The Ape That Spoke: Language and the Evolution of the Human Mind," highlighting the origins of language and the evolution of habits of thought. (SR)

Discusses several articles and books about codependency, the decline of public education, and public discourse. (MG)

Discusses learning disabilities in light of Gerald Cole's book "The Learning Mystique: A Critical Look at Learning Disabilities" and in the humorous guise of being diagnosed by a learning disabilities expert as having a neurological dysfunction due to a lack of interest in watching football. (RS)

Argues that collecting book reviews from local, regional, and national newspapers, categorizing them by literary genre, and regularly updating the collection can motivate developmental students in choosing books for oral or written reports. (RS)

Presents ideas for book reports so students can read for enjoyment and critical thinking. (RB)

Describes three junior novels, "The Contender,""Harlem Summer," and "Mary Jane," to use in motivating Black disadvantaged students to read. (MKM)

Reviews six books that English teachers may find useful: "Shakespeare's First Words,""Adapted Classics for Advanced Readers,""The Hand that Fed Him Kicked the Bucket: The Literary Uses of the Mixed Metaphor,""Whatta We Gotta Do That For?,""The Turner's Book of Fitness," and "The Computer Tutor." (DF)

Warns against tendencies in educational circles to make lists but not check them twice. Discusses Denny Taylor's "Learning Denied" and Bart Kosko's "Fuzzy Thinking: The New Science of Fuzzy Logic," as well as seven education articles. (SR)

Offers five suggestions for differing the format of the traditional book report. (MKM)

Discusses Tom Gilovich's book "How We Know What Isn't So," relating it to reading instruction. Discusses self-fulfilling and seemingly fulfilled prophecies, necessary versus sufficient evidence, and the distinction between skepticism and closed mindedness. (SR)

Annotates 29 fiction and nonfiction tradebooks chosen by middle, junior, and senior high school students' votes. (RS)

Offers thoughts about biliteracy and multicultural issues in education and reviews briefly several books on the topic that focus on Hispanics. (SR)

Discusses educational research and the relationship between researchers and teachers. Reviews briefly Jacques Barzun's book "Begin Here: The Forgotten Conditions of Teaching and Learning," and Frank Smith's article "Learning to Read: The Never-Ending Debate." Calls for a rehabilitation of common sense, valuing the thoughtful…